Faith
Millions Blocked From Bible in Dozens of Nations
Faith Facts
- 33 countries have extreme or severe restrictions on Bible access.
- Somalia, Afghanistan, and Yemen are the most restrictive for Christians seeking Scripture.
- Ownership, sharing, and reading the Bible are outlawed or dangerous in many regions.
Countless believers around the world remain unable to obtain or read God’s Word due to government restrictions, persecution, and poverty. New research from the Bible Access Initiative reveals both the scope and the dangers faced by Christians in 88 nations struggling for spiritual nourishment.
“A modern famine persists, not due to apathy, but because of barriers that prevent people from accessing the Bible,” said Wybo Nicolai, the list’s co-creator of BAL.
Somalia enforces the world’s worst Bible restrictions, criminalizing printing, importing, or distributing Bibles under strict Sharia law, with deep poverty worsening believers’ hardship. Severe legal penalties await those found with Bibles, while ongoing conflict and famine only compound the crisis.
Afghanistan’s small Christian community suffers nearly complete cut-off from Scripture, as Taliban rule has banned all Bible access and harshly punishes converts. “Access to Bibles in Afghanistan is not merely limited, it is nearly impossible,” the report states.
Yemen’s Christians also face life-threatening conditions; under Sharia-based law, sharing the Gospel is considered a crime that can carry a death sentence. The Christian community is almost invisible, with most believers unable to read God’s promises for themselves.
North Korea maintains its notorious position as one of the most spiritually hostile places on earth by banning all Christian practices and persecuting anyone caught with a Bible. “In North Korea, the Bible is not just banned — it is feared,” the researchers noted.
Mauritania and Eritrea likewise impose harsh penalties for those found with Christian materials, with both governments strictly monitoring believers and limiting any Scriptural access. Apostasy can result in the death penalty, and online Christian content is also policed closely, endangering faithful hearts hungering for truth.
The struggle for Bible access is a sobering call for Christians everywhere to remember our persecuted brothers and sisters and to stand up for the fundamental freedom to worship and read Scripture. Let us pray earnestly for open doors and continue to support efforts ensuring God’s Word reaches every nation.
Faith Facts
- The Lausanne Movement’s LIGHT research division is exploring how artificial intelligence affects the work of fulfilling the Great Commission.
- The LIGHT Briefing calls the Church to ensure AI is used with discernment, prioritizing Christ-centered mission and authentic human relationships.
- Researchers emphasize biblical values by offering an ethical framework that keeps technology aligned with justice, truth, mercy, and love.
Christian leaders are seeking wisdom as artificial intelligence transforms communication, outreach, and discipleship. The Lausanne Movement urges the Church to govern new technologies by faith and grounding in Scripture.
The church is encouraged to reject both fear and misplaced optimism, choosing instead to prayerfully consider how AI can support—never replace—God’s call to spread the Gospel.
“AI is neither savior nor threat in itself. Rather, its value depends on how it is discerned, governed, and deployed by God’s people.”
Believers are challenged to model transparency, fairness, and accountability while recognizing that digital tools can never replace Spirit-led, personal gospel witness.
“The gospel remains unchanged. Biblical commands transcend technological innovation and demand faithful proclamation, regardless of medium.”
It remains vital that evangelism expresses Christ’s love through genuine presence, as only human ambassadors can fulfill the Great Commission’s relational call.
“While AI may augment, it must always serve, not supplant, the spirit-filled human herald in proclaiming the good news and fulfilling the Great Commission.”
The church must move forward with courage and prayer, trusting God’s mission will not falter in the digital age.
Faith Facts
- The World Council of Churches (WCC) expressed deep concern about violence and unrest following Tanzania’s recent election.
- Key opposition leaders faced arrest and exclusion from the election, raising questions about fairness and transparency.
- The WCC called for an investigation into the violence and urged protection of human rights and accountability.
Christian leaders emphasized the sanctity of human life, highlighting that every life is a gift from God and must be honored, even amid political turmoil. They denounced the use of lethal force against citizens standing for peaceful assembly and free expression.
Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC General Secretary, declared,
“Reports of widespread protests, excessive use of force by security agencies, and numerous civilian casualties are deeply distressing and call for urgent moral reflection and accountability.”
He further stated,
“The sanctity of human life — a gift from God — must be protected at all times, and no political process should ever justify the shedding of innocent blood.”
The WCC stands in solidarity with the people of Tanzania, supporting faith-driven calls for peace, dialogue, and justice, and affirming the vital contributions of Christian organizations in seeking reconciliation.
Faithful believers are called to uphold Christian values by praying for Tanzania and advocating for truth, accountability, and protection of freedoms guaranteed by God.
Faith Facts
- The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear Kim Davis’s petition, leaving the 2015 ruling on same-sex marriage in place.
- Kim Davis was previously jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, citing her Christian convictions.
- Liberty Counsel continues to support Davis, emphasizing the need to protect religious liberty for public officials.
The Supreme Court’s refusal to reconsider Obergefell v. Hodges keeps the national legalization of same-sex marriage unchanged. The decision also leaves in place a ruling requiring Kim Davis to pay substantial legal fees related to her stand for biblical marriage.
“This cannot be right because government officials do not shed their constitutional rights upon election,” stated Mat Staver, Liberty Counsel Chairman.
Believers must remain vigilant, standing for religious freedom and biblical principles in the public square. Our faith calls us to uphold God’s design for marriage while advocating for the rights of Christians to live out their convictions.
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